Which is the best entry point to the EU markets - in terms of economics, logistics, etc., - for the SMEs in India? The Wallonia area of Belgium, located at the very centre of the EU countries, concluded a Belgian team, which was in Mumbai recently to promote two-way trade between India and Belgium, particularly for the small and medium industries.

"About 90% of industries in Wallonia, Belgium are SMEs, and organisational assistance providing complete logistical support for penetrating the EU markets. Warehouses, packing facilities, finishing lines, etc., can help the Indian industries stock and distribute goods to the entire EU in a cost-effective way," said Mr. Jean-Guy Schattens, Trade & Investment Commissioner, Consulate General of Belgium in Mumbai, while speaking to the correspondent of IPFonline Ltd.

"The interesting aspect is the easy accessibility of EU nations from Wallonia, with border of every important market there lying within a 500-km circle. Wallonia itself is a hub of industrial activities. The EU with 420 million consumers becomes an approachable target for exporters once you are located in Wallonia," said Mr Schattens.

The Belgian team included Mr Jean-Joel Schittecatte, Consul General of Belgium in Mumbai; Mr Peter Vandereet, Expert in Logistics, Wallonia-AWEX and Mr Werner Van der Cruyssen, Customs Attache.

The Wallonia-Belgium Seminar on Exploring Business Opportunities in the European Market, held at the Hotel Intercontinental The Lalit in Mumbai, was co-organised by the SME Chamber of India. Other supporting organisations included India International Trade Centre, Maharashtra Industrial and Economic Development Association and SME Export Promotion Council.

Mr V K Venkatachalam, Secretary General of SME Chamber of India, minced no words about the capabilities of Belgium in providing easy channel for the SMEs into the EU markets. "Belgium's trading and business community is known for transparency.

This country's greatest contribution to the world is glass. As a founder member of NATO and EU, Belgium's contribution to the world is immeasurable. Wallonia-Belgium is centrally-located and can serve as the nodal point for distribution of exports to EU," Mr Venkatachalam said.

Mr Venkatachalam gave a few valuable statistics to the Belgian team: India has about 26.1 million SMEs, with providing employment for about 60 million. Their contribution to industrial production is 45% and to export about 40%.

Mr Jean-Joel Schittecatte, Consul General of Belgium praised India as an "impressively active" country, and categorically stated that it has "emerged" already and does not belong to the "emerging economies".

"Belgium is a small historical country at the crossroads of all the prominent economies of EU. It is an open economy and is amazingly easy to invest in and trade with neighbouring nations," said Mr Schittecatte. According to the Consul General of Belgium, the main advantages of investing in Belgium include the business-friendly atmosphere, assurance of security for investment, easy accessibility to financial schemes of the government, IPRS protection, hassle-free documentation procedures, low price, excellent logistical support, easy visa and work permits, and reliable partners if the need arises.

To make it easy to work in Belgium, a new Welcome India Office has been opened in Wallonia region, said Mr Peter Vandereet, Expert in Logistics, Wallonia-AWEX - the organisation that assists in investment, export procedures and logistics with a network of major players.

"The retail industry has a share of only 10 to 20%, but marketing and wholesale distribution is 40 to 60%, while manufacturing occupies about 10 to 30%. Wallonia-Belgium is the best location to finish half-finished products, to stock in warehouses and the cost working out to 2 to 3 times cheaper than in other European cities," said Mr Vandereet. Lots of land is available here for rent or outright purchase.

Congestion-free traffic, dedicated sites, competitive real estate price and easily available partners for high vale services make Wallonia an ideal business point for ambitious exporters to EU, said Mr Vandereet. Talking of Customs procedures, Mr Werner Van der Cruyssen, Customs Attache, took pains to explain about how free movement of cargo is possible among the 27 EU countries once the cargo reaches Wallonia. "Goods are not only circulated freely, but also are ensured speedy clearance from and to Wallonia.

About only 5% of cargo undergoes physical checking since screening is done beforehand . This ensures there is no delay during the distribution cycle," said Mr Werner. Mr Chandrakant Salunke, President of SME Chamber of India, while summing up the event, called on the Indian SMEs to take benefits of various measures available in promoting trade not only between India and Belgium but also with EU via the Wallonia route